Day 28—Today’s WORD on Money™: 3 World Views
Making either the “left” or the “right” one’s primary worldview causes distortions that will ultimately result in unfairness, failed human endeavors and failed systems of government.
Is anyone besides me ready for the political bickering in America to tone down? I understand that disagreements won’t end, since we have Freedom of Speech, but now most “civil discussions” have been replaced by shouting matches, with all participants rudely interrupting each other. That is not how our parents and grandparents taught us to behave! Please allow me to share some insights into how we can complete instead of compete.
I wish I could share this word picture with every U.S. citizen who is now or is soon to be of voting age. Picture an equilateral triangle with 2 corners at the bottom and 1 at the top, like a pyramid.1 Let’s label the top corner “Transcendent.” Call the bottom left corner “Left,” and the bottom right corner “Right.” Now let’s explore 3 major worldviews.
The “Transcendent” worldview originated in the Judaic culture and now resides mainly in the Judeo-Christian religious sector. Proponents of this worldview hold that God or some creative force is the ultimate authority or owner. “Transcendent” proponents believe that funding should come from donations.
The “Left” worldview originated with the Greeks and now resides in the public sector. Proponents of this worldview hold that government should be the ultimate authority or owner. “Left” worldview proponents believe that funding should come from taxes.
The “Right” worldview originated with the Romans and now resides in the private sector. Proponents of this worldview hold that acquisitors or entrepreneurs should be the ultimate authorities or owners. “Right” worldview proponents believe that funding should come from investments.
So the “right” proponents say something like, “If it’s to be, it’s up to ME,” while the “left” says, “If it’s to be, it’s up to WE,” and the “transcendent” says, “If it’s to be, it’s up to HE (God).” But further study of God’s Word reveals that all 3 views contain truth. In fact, if and only if the “transcendent” view is your “Big Picture,” then the 3 views can, and in fact, must work together. Making either the “left” or the “right” one’s primary worldview causes distortions that will ultimately result in unfairness, failed human endeavors and failed systems of government.
However, if (and only if) we acknowledge that God is the ultimate authority, then the 2 other perspectives are necessary components: 1) from the “right,” we realize that each of us needs to do our part in God’s Kingdom; 2) from the “left,” we realize that we all need to work together as the Body of Christ to bring about God’s purposes for this planet, and for each person on earth. But when any political party tries to take God out of the equation, that party is ultimately doomed to fail. If God is omitted and the “left” prevails, socialism or communism eventually result and ultimately fail when they provide no individual incentives. Likewise if God is omitted and the “right” prevails, then as unbridled capitalism results, kindness and mercy are lacking, and pure greed eventually brings the country to ruin.
I don’t know about you, but in recent years I have sadly watched many “solutions” from both the “left” and the “right” continue to fester, because God was not included in the solution. These observations were an additional incentive for me to write this book.
Next, we’ll discuss how crucial it is for legislators to understand the difference between fairness and justice.
Today's WORD on Money™ 